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Since Nutcracker has become real, I want pixels!

OK, so this great app shows up. It makes pixel megatrees look so easy. I don't have pixels, so I have tons of questions and since this is a How Do I part of the list, I'm asking all of the questions at once.

What's a "standard" number of strands (meaning spacing between strands) on a megatree when using pixels? Let's assume a ten foot tree for now. This would give me an cost estimate just for the lights. There also must be a standard way of assigning addresses for each pixel, I'm guessing. For instance, pixel one is probably next to pixel two, but is it the next one down or the next one over? For Nutcracker to work, I'm guessing it has to know this.

What's a good selection for hardware to do this? I'm still hoping to understand how to get from a pc running Vixen to a lit pixel on a display in my front yard. There seems to be a few standard boards but I think I'm confusing protocol and hardware nomenclature. Pictures and/or diagrams are always helpful to us really old farts. I'm not asking about the little controller chips on the pixel strings here, but the boards I'd use to connect the pixels to and the device needed to get the signal from the pc to next piece of hardware. Hence my hardware cost estimate.

It's expensive, at least for my current budget, and there doesn't seem to be a true DIY solution anywhere. There are build-yourself boards and pixel strings that I can cut and connect, but again, recommendations or examples of what others have used might be nice. It's probably not something I can "experiment" with and buy different hardware over and over.

I know there's a wiki started somewhere on this, or at least it was supposed to be started. I've not looked real hard yet, but I will. So please, pictures, videos, and diagrams of complete solutions that have already been done.

Once I get the hang of it, I can start venturing into something that might not be "standard", but for now, I'd really just like to get a working model.

Thanks as always.

Last edited by Blackbeard; 03-16-2012 at 08:52 AM.

steve_

[I]I really enjoy being in the over-60 age group. I can get grumpy, assertive, and opinionated and not feel too guilty about it.[/I]

So $710.64 + $40.42 + $27.52 + $218.00 = $996.58 + estimate of about $200 for shipping = $1200
You can save on that – don’t use connectors – use the E680 – only have the front half of the tree (halves the price)– make the tree shorter – etc.

The 'Color Motions Tree' thread (in the mega trees forum) has some good discussion on fixing methods for the pixels. Hope that gives you something to work with.

Note: These are examples of equipment and devices to give you an idea of costs. There are alternatives to all the items that I have listed – some of which I’m sure will be better suited to your application. I don’t advise ordering the materials listed above tomorrow (but if you did you’d end up with a nice tree).

So $710.64 + $40.42 + $27.52 + $218.00 = $996.58 + estimate of about $200 for shipping = $1200
You can save on that – don’t use connectors – use the E680 – only have the front half of the tree (halves the price)– make the tree shorter – etc.

The 'Color Motions Tree' thread (in mega trees) has some good discussion on fixing methods for the pixels. Hope that gives you something to work with.

16 strings x 1280 ct = $1120
Shipping for 16 strings
16 x $26 = $416. This is taking the single shipping price times the quantity. I have been told Ray reduces shippign when you order a lot, i am going to guess in half? so call
shipping $200.

You need one ATX PC Power supply to plug into the hub. In RJ's design he drives with 12V , so you dont need to inject power into this long string.
I think these are around $20

Also , everything connects with RJ11 connectors.
I need 20-30 RJ11 connectors, haven't looked them up

for cases
The smart string controllers are inserted into thin wall PVC pipe with end caps on them
E!.31 ethernet controller and 16 port hub needs a case, i havent looke dthem up

This tree , folded is going to be 15' high, 8' wide.
It is roughly
$176+49+93+1120+$200+20 + 50(guess on cases and connectors) = $1708

I did mention i wanted to have a tree, that uses less hardware, but still cool effects
The above tree is 16x128 folded to give 32x64. And using those for only half a tree means i will model a 64x64 dense tree and only activate the front half.

Now lets try only a 2x128 string tree.
Lets fold each string 8 times with 16 pixels in each fold (i call this the strand of the tree)

Re: Since Nutcracker has become real, I want pixels!

If Mrs. Dirk ever found out that I was planning to spend that much money on a single display element, whether it was "really, really cool" or not, when I came home from the office the next day I would find that the garage door opener had been reprogrammed and the locks to the house changed.

Re: Since Nutcracker has become real, I want pixels!

Originally Posted by dirknerkle

If Mrs. Dirk ever found out that I was planning to spend that much money on a single display element, whether it was "really, really cool" or not, when I came home from the office the next day I would find that the garage door opener had been reprogrammed and the locks to the house changed.

Let me know when that day is, I think I might be able to pick up a lot of good deals in the following yard sales! I'll let everyone else know after I leave.

Re: Since Nutcracker has become real, I want pixels!

Thats 2/3 ways - i think it's safe to estimate that a 32 strand tree @ 4" pixel spacing is about $100 per foot (ok there is a minimum cost - you can't do a 1 foot tree for $100).
If you only do a half tree (the front half) the cost halves to $50 per foot.

Re: Since Nutcracker has become real, I want pixels!

Originally Posted by dirknerkle

If Mrs. Dirk ever found out that I was planning to spend that much money on a single display element, whether it was "really, really cool" or not, when I came home from the office the next day I would find that the garage door opener had been reprogrammed and the locks to the house changed.

Geez, you've got more than that tied up in X-Bee's alone................

Re: Since Nutcracker has become real, I want pixels!

Originally Posted by dirknerkle

If Mrs. Dirk ever found out that I was planning to spend that much money on a single display element, whether it was "really, really cool" or not, when I came home from the office the next day I would find that the garage door opener had been reprogrammed and the locks to the house changed.

My wife would do the same to me, so far I've stuck to incandescent bulbs